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Albuquerque Artist-Run Space Plans Reconstruction Following Devastating Fire

Albuquerque Artist-Run Space Plans Reconstruction Following Devastating Fire


# Supporting Art in Times of Adversity: The Aftermath of a Fire at Albuquerque’s Fourteenfifteen Gallery

Albuquerque’s historic Barelas neighborhood, a hub of cultural and artistic energy, recently faced a challenging moment. A fire that broke out in the early morning hours of November 2, 2024, caused significant damage to a prominent art complex, forcing members of the local arts community to rally together. Fourteenfifteen Gallery, along with its attached Alpaca event space and the Minnow music venue, were among the affected spaces. These venues, vital parts of the city’s creative scene, have now temporarily shuttered while recovery and repairs are underway.

### The Fire and Its Devastating Effects

Although the building remains structurally intact, the fire left a significant impact. Smoke, flames, and water damaged many valuable items inside, including tools, electronic equipment, exhibition materials, printed artwork, and sentimental objects, much of which belonged to artists and organizations residing in or utilizing the building. The nonprofit media art collective **Basement Films**, which operates within the space, reported damages to its equipment and materials as well.

According to the **Albuquerque Fire Department**, the responding team managed to contain the fire within just 50 minutes, and thankfully, no injuries were reported. However, while the fire was quickly subdued, the damage to artistic resources was severe, reflecting both tangible losses and emotional devastation for those involved. Unfortunately, as officially reported, the cause of the fire remains unknown and was not investigated further.

### Community Response and Support for Reconstruction

Following the incident, Fourteenfifteen Gallery launched an online fundraiser through **GoFundMe** to help cover the costs of repairs and replacements for damaged items. As of the latest update, the campaign has raised over **$10,000**, thanks to the generosity of community members, artists, and supporters. Nevertheless, the gallery has yet to provide a solid timeline for when the repairs will be complete and when the space will be available for public use again.

Many are taking proactive steps in the meantime. The arts community in Albuquerque, a city known for its DIY (do-it-yourself) ethos, has mobilized to organize benefit shows, raffles, and various fundraising initiatives to support Fourteenfifteen and the other spaces involved in the complex. These efforts demonstrate the solidarity and resilience of art communities during tough times.

### A Space with Deep, Artistic Roots

Fourteenfifteen Gallery is run by members of **LoA**, a collective of local curators and artists committed to promoting underrepresented and experimental artists. The gallery has been an integral part of Albuquerque’s artistic landscape since its launch in 2018. Occupying a building with more than two decades of history as a gathering place for artist-run spaces, the gallery has continually provided a platform for artistic exploration and innovation.

The venue was scheduled to debut **“Ladmo: An Exhibit That Bears A Striking Resemblance to A Retrospective,”** an exhibition by artist Bryan Konefsky, earlier this month. However, due to the fire, these plans have been postponed indefinitely. Events that were supposed to take place at the space—including mutual aid fundraisers, zine launches, and puppet shows—are now uncertain pending the completion of repairs.

Over the years, Fourteenfifteen and the Minnow have become central to fostering an inclusive and experimental cultural environment in Albuquerque. Many of the gallery’s events focus on community-building activities, artistic resistance, and giving voice to marginalized groups—especially **queer**, **trans**, and **Borderland artists**. One notable event associated with the gallery was the zine launch of **“BorderPlex”**, which spotlighted queer artists living in the US-Mexico borderlands area.

### The Role of Art Spaces in Building Vibrant Communities

As highlighted in a recent statement by the team running Fourteenfifteen, artist-led spaces like theirs aren’t just venues for showcasing artwork—they are vital “third spaces” where artists and community members gather to foster dialogue, creativity, and activism. Their existence helps knit together the social fabric of a city and provoke reflection and action through art. In their statement to the community, Fourteenfifteen expressed their gratitude for the outpouring of support, stating, **“These third spaces are the very fabric of a flourishing and vibrant community and we are grateful just to be a small part of this wonderful history.”**

The ripple effects of this fire go beyond the loss of physical materials. These galleries and creative spaces provide a sense of identity and belonging for the local community—a place where artists explore new ideas, challenge societal conventions, and collectively build a more inclusive future. This tragedy underscores the importance of both the individual and collective roles within the artistic process, and how fragile these artistic ecosystems can be without proper support.

### The Path Forward

For now, the reopening of Fourteenfifteen